She left a box full of tennis balls at Port Eynon Bay, together with a photograph of Meg and a note for other dog walkers, inviting them to take a ball and enjoy a game in Meg’s memory.

"Please take a ball and enjoy a game with your dog in memory of our beautiful girl," read Lenihan’s note. "Meg loved the beach and loved life! And we love and miss her. So much."

Actress and singer Lenihan, of Gorseinon, Swansea, told ITV News, "It seemed the right thing to do — I hope people enjoy the beach and the tennis balls as much as we did."

Lenihan may have been inspired by the story of Forrest, a rescue dog from California who also loved nothing more than chasing balls on his local beach. Even when he was diagnosed with canine degenerative myelopathy, which began to limit the mobility in his back legs, his desire to play remained strong.

Ten months later, and Forrest's memorial is still on that beach in Oxnard, California.

"We're just really happy that there's a legacy for him. He was just a really good dog," said John. "When we're feeling a little bit down, we will go to Forrest's beach and just sit and watch other dogs playing with the balls. It makes our day to know that others are bringing their dogs out to play."

In January, another dog owner named Chris honored his Rottweiler-boxer mix Everything on the two-year anniversary of her death by buying 100 tennis balls, which he proceeded to give away to other dog owners all over the world.

"On Jan 23 I'll mark 2 years without my best friend. I purchased 100 tennis balls last week. I plan on sending them to anyone who wants one. I hope that all the people who get a ball from me will use it to spend some quality time with their best friend," posted Chris on Instagram.

Chris invited dog owners to request a ball by email or Instagram and promised to cover the costs of sending out the balls. He wasn't prepared for the huge response but pledged to try to send a tennis ball to everyone who asked for one.

What a lovely way to remember three special dogs — and proof that dog owners the world over want to pay tribute to their pets in very generous ways.

Did you create a special memorial for your pet? Let us know in the comments below.